For Liverpool, this was the dream finale. The outstanding Uruguayan silencing the Gwladys Street and handing Brendan Rodgers his place in the history books alongside Kenny Dalglish as the only manager in the club's 120-year history to win their first derby at Goodison Park.

However, the celebrations were wrongly curtailed by a flag which shouldn't have been raised. You can watch it 100 times and still be left wondering what was possibly going through Bennett's head.

Mistakes happen and the pace of modern football makes life tough for officials but this was baffling and manna from heaven for the conspiracy theorists.

“You just hope somewhere along the line that you get the rub of the green,” said Rodgers in the build up to Sunday's game. “We haven't got anything this year. I hope that this weekend we might start to get a decision that goes our way for once.”

The wait for that goes on. The throw-in which referee Andre Marriner wrongly awarded to Everton prior to their second goal didn't help Rodgers' mood.

After being denied four successive derby triumphs for the first time since 1991 in such controversial fashion and having squandered a 2-0 lead, the sense of disappointment was acute.

But in the cold light of day there should be a sense of pride and encouragement from the way the Reds performed in a hostile environment. Ability was coupled with character in abundance.

It's a day teenagers Raheem Sterling, Suso and Andre Wisdom will never forget. They refused to be overawed by the occasion and it will be a big step forward in their education.

With Joe Allen, Nuri Sahin and Sebastian Coates also involved, the Reds had half a dozen derby debutants – the most they have fielded since 1970.

Everton, flying high after a fine start to the campaign, boasted the greater experience and physical presence but Rodgers' side refused to be bullied.

When they were briefly rocking having seen their two-goal cushion wiped out, the boss' tactical switch at half-time changed the game.

By introducing Coates and switching to 3-5-2, Liverpool regained control in the second half. They were better equipped to deal with the aerial bombardment.

Jonjo Shelvey added more bite in midfield after Sahin had been ineffective and with Sterling impressing in a central role alongside Suarez, the Reds went agonisingly close to grabbing a winner.

David Moyes had delivered Suarez's pre-match team talk with his scathing attack on him.

His attempt to pile the pressure on Marriner by warning him not to be fooled by any theatrics, served to fire up the Reds' top scorer whose celebration after the deadlock was broken will live long in the memory.

After latching on to Jose Enrique's cross, Suarez's 14th minute strike cannoned off Leighton Baines and into the net.

The striker raced towards the home dugout before performing the perfect swallow dive in front of Moyes.

The Blues boss says he fears that divers “will drive fans away from the game” so after the actions of his captain yesterday there's likely to be plenty of empty seats at Goodison over the coming weeks.

Phil Neville's ridiculous attempt to con Marriner into giving a free-kick on the edge of the box deservedly earned him a booking.

Buoyed by the early breakthrough, the Reds doubled their tally in the 20th minute. Skipper Steven Gerrard, who led by example as he pulled the strings in the middle, whipped in the perfect free-kick and Suarez sent a glancing header past Tim Howard.

The pace and intensity of the game was relentless but from a position of dominance, Liverpool gifted the Blues a way back.

With Pepe Reina deemed not fit enough to start the game, Brad Jones kept his place in goal.

The Australian had been faultless in the two previous outings but he didn't cover himself in glory with the punch from Baines' corner which Leon Osman sent back with interest into the bottom corner.

Suddenly, the atmosphere was transformed and Jones was lucky to earn a free-kick after spilling the ball under pressure from Sylvain Distin.

Energised by the goal, Everton gathered momentum. Young Wisdom faced his toughest test yet as the right-back tried to handle the lively Kevin Mirallas.

The Reds were fortunate that Mirallas didn't emerge for the second half after pulling up lame. Wisdom found substitute Magaye Gueye a much easier proposition.

Glen Johnson was sorely missed at left-back and as the Blues cranked up the pressure they equalised 10 minutes before the break.

It came from a throw which shouldn't have been theirs but Rodgers' side were slow to close down Marouane Fellaini and then Enrique failed to track Steven Naismith, who swept the ball home from close range.

The arrival of Shelvey and Coates for Sahin and Suso, coupled with the change of formation, successfully stemmed the tide.

Sterling wasted a glorious chance to put the Reds back in front but sliced wide with just Howard to beat.

The 17-year-old caused Everton plenty of problems after being put in a central role with Jagielka booked for hauling him down.

The punishment could have been more severe, as was the case when Suarez stepped on Distin's Achilles, but Marriner was lenient and this time both sides kept the full complement on the pitch.

Liverpool defended bravely in the second half and with Allen running himself into the ground, they increasingly threatened on the counter-attack.

Gerrard and Sterling both went close before Suarez thought he had secured a cherished victory. Cruelly, the sense of joy was shortlived.